The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has explained its responsibilities in the forthcoming national minimum wage negotiations, stating that its mandate is to negotiate the basic wage floor, while individual unions are responsible for securing consequential adjustments in their respective sectors.
The Congress made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah.
It explained that the national minimum wage is determined through a tripartite negotiation involving organised labour, the government and employers’ representatives.
According to the NLC, its primary responsibility in the exercise is to negotiate the minimum amount any employer can legally pay a worker.
“For the purpose of clarity, we state that the national minimum wage is set through a tripartite process involving the labour movement, the government, and employers’ representatives. The NLC’s mandate at this stage is clear and unambiguous: to negotiate the national minimum wage; the primary and basic floor below which no worker should be paid,” the statement read.
The labour centre noted that negotiations on consequential adjustments would commence after a new minimum wage had been agreed upon.
It explained that such adjustments involve reviewing existing salary structures to reflect the new minimum wage and are handled by unions within their respective sectors.
“The NLC does not sit at the table to negotiate consequential adjustments in the various sectors,” it stated.
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The Congress further identified the leadership of unions in both the public and private sectors as responsible for negotiating the adjustments affecting their members.
For federal public sector workers, it said the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) is responsible for negotiating implementation arrangements and consequential adjustments with the Federal Government.
The clarification comes ahead of the anticipated minimum wage negotiations, as the Congress reiterated its commitment to securing an outcome that improves workers’ welfare.
The NLC said it would work towards ensuring that the forthcoming exercise delivers a wage that reflects the cost of living and meets the economic needs of Nigerian workers.
“The NLC will do its best to ensure that the outcome of this forthcoming exercise continues to serve Nigerian workers and masses and approximates a living wage,” the statement added.